Ukraine was shaken by the news that Auchan was supplying goods to the Russian military in the occupied territories of Ukraine under the guise of humanitarian aid.
On February 17, a joint investigation by Le Monde, Bellingcat and The Insider was released. The journalists found out that Auchan employees in Russia are helping the Russian army. Goods were sent to the front line free of charge from the warehouses of the chain itself, and donations were also collected on the territory of supermarkets.
The investigation is based on leaked internal emails, testimonies from a former network worker, and social media postings. Journalists argue that the leadership of the Russian Auchan could not help but know where their goods were going, moreover, in some cases they themselves organized the collection.
So, in March, employees of several stores in St. Petersburg received letters from the controller of the Auchan-St. Petersburg department, where it was said that they needed to collect humanitarian aid. The nested lists included socks, T-shirts (all sizes for men), canned stew, razors, lighters, and cigarettes (which are never supplied as humanitarian aid at all). There were no goods for women and children. The entire “humanitarian” was taken from the warehouses of “Ashana”, its cost amounted to 2 million rubles (27 thousand dollars).
A former employee of one of the Auchan supermarkets in St. Petersburg confirmed that the “humanitarian aid” was sent to the needs of the so-called “special military operation.” From publications in social networks, journalists learned that collection points for “humanitarian aid for Donbass” were set up in other stores of the chain, in particular, in Samara, Vladimir, Rybinsk. And the head of the “charitable foundation”, which is engaged in the supply of aid to the military, even took a picture with an Auchan employee, signing this photo with the words: “Enlisted the support of partners.”
In addition to Auchan supermarkets, it seems that Leroy Merlin was also engaged in the supply of goods to the occupied territories. Both companies are part of the French holding Association Familiale Mulliez.
In addition, according to journalists, the Russian “Auchan” collected and transmitted data about its employees to the military registration and enlistment offices.
The predicted Russian leadership of Auchan declined to comment to journalists. The leadership of the head office in France chose a more convenient position, saying that it is “out of politics.” However, is the French Auchan really out of politics and does not support the Russian occupiers, as he says in his press release? Several facts contradict this statement.
First, in March last year, after President Zelensky asked French companies to leave the Russian market, Auchan refused to do so. They argued this by caring for employees, their families and unwillingness to leave their clients.
Auchan also stated that it could not leave Russia, because “We bake fresh bread for Ukrainians and Russians in our stores every day, which is now vital.” However, the investigation of Le Monde, Bellingcat and The Insider, that it was “vital” for Auchan to support the Russian army.
Secondly, the presence of the company in the Russian market is the taxes paid to the Russian state, and this, in turn, turns into funding for its army, which destroys Ukrainians in a genocidal war.
Thirdly, the holding claimed that although both companies remain in Russia, however, they will stop investing in the Russian economy. So, in 2023 in the city of Vladimir, “Leroy Marlene” planned to open a new shopping center, but announced that as a result of the war, there would be neither construction nor opening. In the Le Monde investigation, satellite photos are shown showing that a new shopping center is being built during 2022.
For “Auchan” and “Leroy Marlene” Russia is the second most important sales market (the first city is France). A significant part of the income of the holding, which includes both companies, depends on Russia. In 2021, at least 20% of Leroy Marlene’s annual turnover and 10% of Auchan’s annual turnover come from chains in Russia.
This is not the only French company that continues to earn blood money in Russia. The Bonduelle company also did not leave the Russian market. Also, the Russian office supported the Russian occupiers and handed them a humanitarian aid with the wish of “a speedy victory.”
Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said he would discuss the results of the Auchan investigation with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna.
Last year, I was cooled by the world to the Auhan fighter for the occasion to the perversion from Russia and the growing struggle of the enemy. However, reality seems to be far worse: Auchan has evolved into a full-fledged weapon of Russian aggression. I am trying to discuss this with my French counterpart. https://t.co/5Gp607HKPs
– Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 17, 2023
In the Ukrainian office, Auchan was told that they were shocked by the results of the journalistic investigation and demanded an explanation from the French office.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.